Those attending the 60th annual Fairfax Fair “Celebrate America” enjoyed a beautiful August weekend full of entertainment. On Saturday night, a large crowd gathered bringing their lawn chairs to the Fairfax City Park to meet the EA Wolves, and listen to the Southeast Nebraska Community Band, Cliff McNair, Soul Collision, and Curtis Wayne Stroud Band.
Carley Graham, left, was crowned 2026 Miss Fairfax and Wendy Hurst, right, was crowned Junior Miss Fairfax.
Claire Oswald was named 2026 Little Miss Fairfax. There were no Little Mr. Fairfax contestants this year.
Fairfax Fair Baby/Youth Show
Babies in the birth to 6 months old category of the Baby/Youth Show were: Jaylee Stevens, 3 months old, daughter of Dustin and Christy Stevens; Oliver Keith Nemyer, 4 months old, son of Keifer Nemyer and McKinley Daniels; and Avery Rohlfsen, 6 months old, daughter of Derek and Alyssa Rohlfsen.
Participants in the 7 to 11 months old category were: John Vette, 11 months, son of Brian and Amanda Vette; Wren McGuire, 7 months, daughter of Jason and Abby McGuire; Maverick Leseberg, son of Boo and Gus Leseberg; Brystal Cook, 10 months, daughter of Adam and Ashley Cook; and Margaret Rose Dewhirst, 8 months, daughter of Ryan and Lily Dewhirst.
Participating in the one year old category were: John Cecil Coleman, 14 months, son of Rhonda and John Coleman; Coy Murphy, 1 year, son of Jarrod and Kourtney Murphy; Jace Zumbrunnen, 1 year, son of James and Amber Zumbrunnen; and Jett Zumbrunnen, 1 year, son of James and Amber Zumbrunnen.
Toddlers in the two years old category were: Zola Straub, daughter of Ashley and Mason Straub; Creed Smith, son of Miles and Amber Smith; Lila Leseberg, daughter of Gus and Boo Leseberg; and Cole Lewis, son of Mike and Robin Lewis.
Participating in the three years old category were: Walker Giddinge, son of TJ and Heather Giddinge; Brinlyn Mercer, daughter of Destiny Mercer; and Tucker Rohlfsen, son of Derek and Alyssa Rohlfsen.
Participants in the four years old category were: Caroline Oswald, daughter of Michael and Amanda Oswald; and Addie Stevens, 4 years, daughter of Dustin and Christy Stevens.
Little Miss Fairfax contestants, from left to right, were: Ellie Clement, daughter of Chance and Chelsea Clement; Cammie White, daughter of Ky and Alicia White; Claire Oswald, daughter of Michael and Amanda Oswald; Ella Ann Smith, daughter of Miles and Amber Smith; Stella Mercer, daughter of Destiny Mercer; Audrey Zumbrunnen, daughter of James and Amber Zumbrunnen; and Emma Lewis, daughter of Mike and Robin Lewis.
Friday night festivities
The Boy Scouts raised the flag in opening ceremonies of the Fairfax Fair.
Lexi Brown started the opening ceremonies for the Fairfax Fair with the singing of the national anthem.
Doug and Lea Anne Miller take their granddaughters, Belle and Lottie Miller, around to the booths at the Fairfax Fair.
The Masonic Lodge had some good help on Friday cooking hamburgers and serving pie.
The Fairfax Art Club kept busy painting faces at their booth.
Cammie White and Arya Thomas took their baby dolls for a barrel train ride at the Fairfax Fair Saturday night.
These little girls had fun making memories on the slab dancing at the Fairfax Fair.
Miss Fairfax and Junior Miss Fairfax contestants
Contestants in the Miss Fairfax and Junior Miss Fairfax contests, from left to right, were Avery Fast, Brenna Kingery, Carley Graham, Wendy Hurst, Aspyn Fast, and Ryann Salmond.
Avery Fast performed sign language to a song.
Ryann Salmond shows off her roping skills.
Brenna Kingery read a poem she wrote about veterans and her grandpa.
Aspyn Fast told some dad jokes for her talent portion.
Wendy Hurst gets up close with the judges as she delivers tea rings she baked for them to try.
Carley Graham impersonated Donald Trump for her talent portion.
Avery Fast pauses in her formal gown before answering a question.
Ryann Salmond in her formal gown.
Brenna Kingery in her formal dress.
Aspyn Fast in her formal gown.
Chloe Vernon, 2025 Miss Fairfax, checks with the judges.
Fairfax Fair Parade
The Fairfax Fair Parade was the first official “event” for the Fairfax Marching Pride for the 2026 marching season.
These young parade participants dressed the part for the Fairfax Fair’s theme of “Celebrate America.”
Stephanie Athen with the Atchison County Health Department throws out goodies to the crowd lining the Fairfax Fair Parade route.
Nash Stevens and other local baseball players cruised down Main on motorized vehicles for the Fairfax Fair Parade.
Community Hospital-Fairfax Auxiliary’s first male Auxilian of the Year – Bob Alldredge – rode in the Fairfax Fair Parade Saturday, August 22, 2026.
Mayor of Fairfax Tab Wintz rode in the parade. Also pictured are her son, Garrett Wintz, and driver, Lee Roy Sickman.
The public got its first official viewing of the new Fairfax Fire Department truck as it made its way down Main in the parade.
Representing Pioneer Seed and its century of innovation were Tracy Oswald and Richard Oswald.
Jenea’ (Kemerling) Salmond rode on the Atchison County Courthouse float in the Fairfax Fair Parade.
East Atchison Lady Wolves volleyball team members Bailey Wennihan, Chloe Vernon, Brynleigh Lopez, and Keely Bredensteiner were all smiles during the parade.
Payton Woodring rode on her dad’s float, representing Kamron Woodring’s 4U Contracting LLC business.
Fertilizer Service Company was one of the local businesses that drove farm equipment in the parade.
Kannon and Michaela Hawkins rode with their grandpa, Mike Heits, in his classic truck.
Quen Roop drives a John Deere tractor down Main Street in the Fairfax Fair Parade Saturday, August 22, 2026.
The Fairfax Optimist Club float always ends the parade with members hitting ping pong balls into the crowd for prizes.
American flag outfits 35 years old and a new generation made Fairfax Fair Parade spectators smile on Saturday, August 22, 2026. In 1991, Harry and Mary Combs, Stan and Dana Osburn, and Melvin and Karen Rogers wore outfits resembling an American flag in that year’s Fairfax Fair Parade (pictured above). Thirty-five years later, their children and their children’s spouses wore the exact same outfits – which Mary had preserved – and walked down Main Street in the 2026 Fairfax Fair Parade. This year’s theme was “Celebrate America” as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary. Pictured at top celebrating America and honoring their parents’ legacy are Jon Graves, Ryan Osburn, Benne Rogers, Melissa Rogers, Sarah Osburn, and Beth Graves.
Saturday night festivities
The Southeast Nebraska Community Band performed patriotic music to start the night off Saturday, August 22, 2026, on the Fairfax Fair park stage.
The East Atchison athletes for all 2026-27 sports were introduced at the Fairfax Fair Saturday, August 22, 2026.
The East Atchison Dance Team performed for the Fairfax Fair crowd on Saturday evening, August 22, 2026.
The East Atchison junior high cheerleading squad (at top) and the East Atchison high school cheerleaders (above) entertained the fair crowd with cheers, jumps, and stunts.
Cliff McNair shared some jokes with the Fairfax Fair crowd on Saturday night.
Chris Jones and Samantha Cook entertained the Fairfax Fair’s Saturday night crowd with music performed as Soul Collision. Chris is an Atchison County native.
